Control of downhole devices in a wellbore

Abstract

A system for performing a task in a borehole, the system including: a downhole tool configured for disposition into the borehole, the downhole tool also configured to perform the task; a processing unit disposed remote to the downhole tool, the processing unit configured for initiating a command signal; and a broadband communication system for coupling the downhole tool and the processing unit, the broadband communication system configured to transmit the command signal to the downhole tool to perform the task.

1 . A system for performing a task in a borehole, the system comprising:
 a downhole tool configured for disposition into the borehole, the downhole tool also configured to perform the task;   a processing unit disposed remote to the downhole tool, the processing unit configured for initiating a command signal; and   a broadband communication system for coupling the downhole tool and the processing unit, the broadband communication system comprising a plurality of distributed devices configured to provide stable control in real time over the downhole tool to perform the task.   
   
   
       2 . The system as in  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor coupled to the broadband communication system wherein the broadband communication system is configured to transmit data from the sensor to the processing unit, the sensor disposed on a drill string comprising the downhole tool. 
   
   
       3 . The system as in  claim 2 , wherein the processing unit is configured to display the data. 
   
   
       4 . The system as in  claim 2 , wherein the processing unit comprises an algorithm for automatically initiating the command signal. 
   
   
       5 . The system as in  claim 2 , wherein the processing unit is configured to receive an input from an operator to initiate the command signal. 
   
   
       6 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the broadband communication system comprises at wired pipe as a transmission medium. 
   
   
       7 . The system as in  claim 6 , wherein the wired pipe comprises a broadband cable. 
   
   
       8 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the broadband communication system comprises an optical fiber as a transmission medium. 
   
   
       9 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the broadband communication system is configured to transmit a low frequency radio wave through at least one of the earth and the borehole. 
   
   
       10 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the broadband communication system is configured to transmit an acoustic wave through a drill string coupled to the downhole tool. 
   
   
       11 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the task comprises operating one of an underreamer, a flow diverter and a disconnect coupled to the downhole tool. 
   
   
       12 . (canceled) 
   
   
       13 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the task comprises operating a whip stock. 
   
   
       14 . The system as in  claim 13 , wherein operating comprises setting an angle. 
   
   
       15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the task comprises initiating a perforating device. 
   
   
       17 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the task comprises at least one of placement and expansion of at least one of a casing and completion device. 
   
   
       18 . The system as in  claim 1  wherein the task comprises one of energizing the downhole tool and de-energizing the downhole tool. 
   
   
       19 . (canceled) 
   
   
       20 . A method for performing a task in a borehole, the method comprising:
 placing a downhole tool for performing the task in the borehole;   initiating a command signal with a processing unit; and   transmitting the command signal using a broadband communication system comprising a plurality of distributed devices to the downhole tool to perform the task; the plurality of devices preventing undamped oscillations during the performing.   
   
   
       21 . The method as in  claim 20 , further comprising transmitting a measurement from a sensor to the processing unit using the broadband communication system, the sensor disposed on a drill string comprising the downhole tool. 
   
   
       22 . The method as in  claim 20 , further comprising an operator inputting a command to the processing unit. 
   
   
       23 . The method as in  claim 20 , wherein the processing unit automatically initiates the command signal. 
   
   
       24 . The method as in  claim 20 , wherein the method is implemented by machine-executable instructions stored on machine-readable media. 
   
   
       25 . An apparatus for controlling a task in a borehole, the apparatus comprising:
 a downhole tool configured for disposition into the borehole, the downhole tool also configured for performing the task;   a sensor in operable communication with an aspect of the task;   a controller in operable communication with the downhole tool and the sensor, the controller configured to receive a measurement from the sensor and to provide closed-loop control of the downhole tool for controlling the task; and   a broadband communication system comprising a plurality of devices for providing stable control in real time and for coupling the sensor and the controller and for coupling the controller and the downhole tool.   
   
   
       26 . The apparatus as in  claim 24 , wherein the controller is configured to receive manual input. 
   
   
       27 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of distributed devices prevent undamped oscillations in a closed-loop control system of the communication system. 
   
   
       28 . The method as in  claim 20 , further comprising performing a diagnostic check of the downhole tool with at least one device from the plurality of devices. 
   
   
       29 . The method as in  claim 20 , wherein the preventing is in real-time.